Well first of all I have my university admission exams next week (wish me luck) so I was trying to study my ass off to get into Computer Science. They have VERY high demands :(, but I’ll hope I’ll make it.

Anyways, In my few down momments, I was making the time to start coding my first real game, and here is the first build of it, enjoy:

Any comments, suggestions, question, anything is highly welcome

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/platformer-game-in-the-making/feed/0kostiakCaptain’s Log #004https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/captain%e2%80%99s-log-004/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/captain%e2%80%99s-log-004/#respondWed, 05 Nov 2008 20:06:38 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/?p=56So long time no update ah? well i have been working most of this time, problem was i had nothing big enough to brag about accomplishing (and the captain doesn’t talk about his failures, usually).

So since the last post I have:

Learned C#/XNA

Ported the little code i had from Kpong (C++) to XKpong (XNA/C#)

Fixed Collision Detection on XKpong (will port it back to Kpong later)

Implemented an ugly ScreenManager (to switch between menu screen, the game screen, credit screen and so forth).

Now I’m working on implementing a nicer, OOP, ScreenManager on Kpong. As soon as i started I realized that I don’t understand polymorphism correctly, so i had to crack open the good old C++ books, and I think i understand it currently now, and if I do, I now know why OOP is so much better than functional programing!

Anyway, I started working on my ScreenManager in C++ and so far I have implemented in it a lot of stuff that I have never used in an active project before (as opposed to a study project or an exercise) , so this is gonna be today’s achievement

Today’s accomplishments so far:

first use of new and delete in an active project

first use of std::vector in an active project

first use of iterator in an active project

first use of a derived class and a virtual member in an active project

correct use of pointers (those are nasty)

That’s it for today i guess, I hope by tomorrow I’ll finish the basic skeleton of this thing and start implementing it onto actual SDL code. Oh and my TV decoder broke today, so I’m having TV withdrawal right now.

kost.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/captain%e2%80%99s-log-004/feed/0kostiakCaptain’s Log #003https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/captain%e2%80%99s-log-003/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/captain%e2%80%99s-log-003/#commentsTue, 21 Oct 2008 20:40:58 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/?p=51 Today was another day of my (very slow) coding marathon. As I may or may not have mentioned before, I work from home as a GM (Game Master) for a web-based game called Moondo (www.moondo.com).

I mainly corrected my Collision Detection code a bit. After that I proceeded to testing my build on several machines, and tested different distribution and packaging techniques (creating installers and stuff like that).

I have been invited to a very promising game project, to the XNA position. As a result I have spent the rest of the day learning about C# and XNA, and it goes surprisingly smooth so far. I have previous experience in C++ so the syntax is pretty familiar to me. I also had some Java courses, so I have some understanding of how a managed language works.

Also C# gets you 2 features that makes it criminally easy to write correct code: There is a full code autocomplete, which holds all the methods, classes, variables and so on, including the ones you write. So for almost any code you write, once you put the . (which you do a lot in a managed language) it gives you a full list of all the things you can put there.

The second thing about C# that I liked a lot, is it has LIVE error detection – which basically means that you don’t have to compile the code every time you want to check it for errors, which rocks a lot in comparison to C++, where you need to compile a project, which takes quite a lot time in the bigger projects, just to see if your code has errors.

So my Kpong (C++ version) is put on hold right now, and I’m learning C#/XNA right now, and I will post the project I will be working on with XNA once I’m fully accepted and start working on it.

Today’s accomplishments so far:

*Fixed some of Kpong’s collision detection code.

*Got a working C#/XNA setup working on my programming computer.

*Learned a bit of C#/XNA (up to drawing in a window).

good night folks,

kost.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/21/captain%e2%80%99s-log-003/feed/1kostiakMoondo BoostCaptain’s Log #002https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/captains-log-002/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/captains-log-002/#respondSun, 19 Oct 2008 20:05:38 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/?p=47Just one day past the last post and I’ve done quite a lot since this morning.

First of all i did a lot of refactoring on the existing code, added and modified a lot of things, especially modified quite heavily my Sprite function. This time I have an actual working collision detection, not system yet, but it works. Also this time i got an old online buddy to put together some basic sprites for me so not to use the ones i put together in paint in 2 seconds.

This time I am also finally releasing my first public release ever: Kpong 0.1.0 – alpha version of a pong clone i have been working on for the past few weeks. Download links after the jump.

I am too tired to think right now, but i will probably be back in 2-3 hours and add to this post.

So have fun (click on the image to download):

Today’s accomplishments so far:

*Refactoring some of the code to make it a bit better

*Making a working Collision Detection

*Releasing Kpong0.1.0 – the alpha1 version

kost.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/captains-log-002/feed/0kostiakkpong010Captain’s Log #001https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/18/captains-log-001/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/18/captains-log-001/#respondSat, 18 Oct 2008 14:27:47 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/?p=44As this has become a completely readerless blog, I’m going to be using it as my own personal journal, and if you happen to stumble upon it and read it, have fun.

First of all this is the first post since i got back to programing (at last) and I’m having fun with it. Also since the last one I was very ill, visited the hospital like 20 times (was hospitalized 3-4 times) and got better and even got back to work.

Now that I’m programing, I’m using C++, with Visual Studio 2008 (ported from dev-cpp just today) and with SDL as a game library. Yes, I’m working on a game. Well not actually a game, just a pong clone for now to get my feet wet in the field at last. I think i have learned enough to have a working draft in 2 days.. but i want to optimize it a bit more before i release my first alpha version here on the site.

Right now I’m trying to figure out how a good Collision Detection system would work (I know i don’t need to complicate it for a Pong clone but I do it for the learning experience) and when I’m done with that I would either do a state manager or improve my sprite loader’s resource management.

Today’s accomplishments so far:

*Successfully porting from DevCpp to VS2008.

That’s it for today,

keep working kost.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/10/18/captains-log-001/feed/0kostiak2008 Wishlisthttps://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/2008-wishlist/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/2008-wishlist/#respondSun, 20 Jul 2008 10:20:00 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/?p=17So I have a bit of free time.. so I decided to post my gaming wish list of (mostly) 2008 releases.
All those games are for PC as you may notice, as the latest console i own is a dusty old ps2. The entries are filed by descending order of me wanting them.

Half Life 2: Episode 3
The 3rd and final Installment in VALVe’s episodic gaming content.This closing chapter is promising in both story, and the gameplay departments, and is going to be a hit in the already existing, pretty huge, fan base.

Left 4 Dead
Like all those zombie movies like “dawn of the dead” where a group of folks get trapped together in a zombie infested environment and need to work together to get to a better place with supplies or just get the fuck out. Well I know that at least I found that situation exiting, well minus the danger of actually dying – Left 4 Dead is exactly that. Think of it as a rollercoster – you get the cool adrenaline shot without the danger of been killed.

Fallout 3
Let me first state that I am a HUGE fan of the fallout series so far (even liked the tactics game). Now that e3 has come and gone and the first gameplay video has been released I have been more sceptical on this one. First of all there is no top-down-third-person mode for it to look like the originals, second of all, and a bit more disturbing is the fact that by the look of the video there doesn’t appear to be a consistent turn-based battle, but a “press button to use turn-based targeting system”. I don’t know how good this will work but as a fan I’m definitely getting the game and trying it for myself.

Grand Theft Auto 4 – PC
The tradition of releasing a GTA game to the consoles first is a long lasting one, but that tradition also includes releasing that game for the PC a few month later. Thus far there appears to be no announcement of such, but I keep hoping and waiting.

Spore
Spore, the little creature maturing in EA’s MAXIS. I have been following this one back from the beginning of it and it seems to promise a lot of new and innovation. I still do not know how I will feel about the game after I play it and it all depends on it’s playability and replayability – how interesting or boring will it be to play the “live your creature” game and how much will I want to go through it over and over again.

Starcraft 2
I am a big RTS fan since my first PC (Total Annihilation) and still am (replaying Warcraft 3 from time to time), so I will really want to check out the new release from Blizzard. I haven’t played the first installment so I am not as exited as everyone and their mother but I am still looking forward to playing it.

Subversion and The Crossing
Both I know very little about but both seem to promise some very new and innovative gaming.. so I am looking forward for some info on those two as well as trying them out myself.

If you have some games you are looking for or just want to discuss the ones I mention feel free to leave a comment.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/2008-wishlist/feed/0kostiakA weird personalty, quizhttps://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/a-weird-personalty-quiz/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/a-weird-personalty-quiz/#commentsWed, 04 Jun 2008 17:03:00 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/a-weird-personalty-quiz/Does your name begin with a letter in the alphabet? Nope, it starts with a number, my name is 42kost (NOT)Are you still in grade school? not realy (im still in school. but my grades are missing..)Do you have higher than a 3.0 GPA in school? No idea.. live in IsraelAre you drifting away from someone you were close with? Actually I amDo you live in a subdivision? WTF??Are you related to anyone famous? Does me in the future count?Are you afraid of spiders? no so much.. just feel a grand urge to kill emWould you rather be in front of a cozy fire or at a club? Fire.. with some people I know inside it..Have you ever had an ear infection? No clueDo you get sick easily? Sir, Yes, SirCan you lick your nose? Of couse!!! becouse it is SUPER usefull.. (NOT)Did you just try to lick your nose? common..Can you smell colors? I wishIs it possible for people to smell colors? Yes, now go wiki it.Do you know how to tie a tie? NopeDo you know how to tie a bow tie? NoHow often do you pee? Lost my pee counter.. sorry..Was that question the least bit offensive to you? If I wasn’t as bored as I am right now..Do you believe in ghosts? I don’t believe in anything “supernatural”.Do you believe in Satan? See above.Can you remember you best friend in the first grade? Actualy I do.. his name is Kostia, just like mine and he lives a five minute walk from where I do.. so I see him from time to time..How much time do you spend watching TV a day? This counter overloaded the first week..Do you enjoy scary movies? I enjoy “scary movies”What’s your favorite scary movie? “Scary Movie 1,2,3,4”Do you like the show Family Guy? I am on the internet, am I not?What is your age? 18 and legalHave you ever met anyone famous? See the famous question aboveDo you have any diseases? Should I start counting?Can you drive? Does NFS count?Do you still look like the picture on your driver’s license? YES!! I like every photo of mine that doesn’t exist..Do you have children? NoAm I an idiot? Well you made this survey, so I guess u are..Do you have your own computer? Does 3 Count?Do you live by yourself? Still with parents..Can you whistle out your nose? WHY THE FUCK did anyone think THIS is a good idea?Do you enjoy school? Only the parts when I didn’t visit it..Can you name your three best friends? Me, ME and meDo you like to be alone? Sometimes..Do you like children? When I’m boredAre you easily confused? Sometimes.. Maybe.. What?Are you a sleeper? HELL YESCan you tell the difference between softball and baseball? Two games with a ball, and the first one is softer??What’s your favorite sport? Wii Is this random enough for you? Seen more random shit.. Like white noice..Are your eyes blue? Blue and Green, depending on the day (I swear my life on that one!! They really are!!!)Did you enjoy taking this survey? Nope.. was just too bored for a real post.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/a-weird-personalty-quiz/feed/2kostiakN.E.Whttps://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/new/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/new/#respondThu, 15 May 2008 08:27:00 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/new/This post (as a bit of others tried before and failed) is the start of a new era in my blog.

As you can see I finally managed to get rid of the old, ugly, layout, and got a new, simpler one to freshen this blog a bit.

Also as you can see there is a little clock in the right corner. I wrote this clock from scratch (as you can see from the previous post.)

So will a new layout and a new gadget do what it takes to finally zap this old hag of a blog to life? All that remains on your side is to hope, on mine on the other hand is to think of some not-so-boring post ideas.

Oh.. and actually write those.. kost.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/new/feed/0kostiakMy First Gadgethttps://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/my-first-gadget/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/my-first-gadget/#respondWed, 14 May 2008 23:52:00 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/my-first-gadget/Yep.. this baby is mine.. All my code, not a bit of it stolen..

It may look lame, but considering the fact that the first time I wrote any javascript code was about 3-4 hours ago – this is quite an acomplishment.

Yes, It is a simple clock.It takes your system time and then starts advencing it 1 second at a time.

]]>https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/my-first-gadget/feed/0kostiakWierdest Quizzes Everhttps://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/wierdest-quizzes-ever/
https://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/wierdest-quizzes-ever/#respondWed, 14 May 2008 10:54:00 +0000http://kostiak.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/wierdest-quizzes-ever/To take some of them go to http://www.oneplusyou.com/bb/